Why would I want dirty horseradish?

Horseradish with the landing gear and flaps retracted?

I don’t actually know, but in my world Dirty refers to horseradish that has been cut into cream style and Clean is just plain ground root.

I’ve been a Jew all my life and eaten a fair share of horseradish, both red (with beets) and white. I have never heard of either expression, so I’d be curious also to learn the answer.

Because you like it dirty? Oops, did I say that outloud? :)

i asked chef-husband…he has no clue.

Just to clarify, the ad is for the unprocessed root

I think that the ad is being literal. Cleaning horseradish roots is labor-intensive and releases oils that clean your sinuses (similar to weeping while peeling onions).

I was thinking similar to @gailcalled but more along environmental lines. Some may prefer uncleaned horseradish because of the process or chemicals other may use to clean it?? Just a shot in the dark.

I have never seen it advertised that way before – very interesting! Yeah! I learned something new today!

My chef boyfriend says this after I told him my theory that it means the horseradish hasn’t been washed (his first response was huh? and I had to explain the thread to him):

“Wouldn’t really make a difference, it’s peeled like ginger. I don’t know, never heard it and if it’s not on Google, I’d say it’s just something someone came up with on their own.”

Maybe it’s a manly thing. Like, “Give me a whiskey. And put it in a dirty glass”.

@loser Oh good, I haven’t maxed out on lurve for you.

You’re a dirty, dirty horseradish. Spank that root!

@Harp: I looked at the horseradishes today in the supermarket. They are hairy, bumpy, large and dirty. I can see where peeling it properly would be a time-consuming process, unlike peeling a carrot or even a chunk of ginger. Washing the roots alone will not remove the outer inedible coating.

@gailcalled Thanks for that bit of field research. I can see the advantage, too, but that’s what makes it seem all the more strange that this place was offering the choice . Could this be a nuance of orthodox dietary restrictions? There’s a sizable orthodox community near us.

@Harp – that might be exactly why it was offered.

@Harp: You might do better do ask the Orthodox Reb. I have always bought kosher horseradish in a bottle. Before I stopped eating flesh, I used hr on lean brisket and gefulte fish. Now I throw some into home-made veggie soup that tastes boring.